Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Ayah of the Day:The seven heavens and the earth and all beings therein praise God. There is not a single thing that does not extol the praise of God, but you do not understand their praise. God is truly gracious, most forgiving. [17: 44]

Hadith of the Day:True spiritual excellence is devotion to God as if you see Him; and though you do not see Him, you at least know that He sees you. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:Do not ask one who flees from your requests, but instead, ask Allah Most High, the One Who has ordered you to ask of Him. [Ibn al Samak]

Guidance of the Day:Further advice: Shaykh Muhammad Wasi (may Allah have mercy on him) was among the greatest of the friends of Allah. A man requested advice of him. The Shaykh said, "I will give you such advice by means of which you may become the king of the world and obtain peace in the Hereafter. Adopt zuhd (abstention) in this world. Never have any greed or hope with regard to any man. See all creation to be dependent on Allah. It is then evident that you will become independent of all creation. This is the meaning of becoming a king."

Ruin comes to a person from six avenues: weakness of intention regarding the acts of the Hereafter; obedience to the commands of the devil and striving in that direction; in spite of nearness of death, to entertain distant hopes and plans; to adopt the pleasure of people in preference to the pleasure of Allah; to abstain from the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) because of obedience to the desires of the lower self; to cite the errors of previous Friends of Allah as proofs for one's acts and to bury their excellence. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor--in terms of blessings and recompense and peace--than it does to the receiver. Doing good to others brings happiness to both the heart and the soul.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:We have varied presentations in this Recital, that they may bear in mind, but it only increases their aversion. Say: "Were there deities beside God as they say, then they would have sought a way to the Lord of the Throne." Glory be to God, exalted beyond whatever they say in loftiness and greatness. [17: 41,42,43]

Hadith of the Day:The best charity a Muslim practices is acquiring some knowledge and teaching it to his brother. [Ibn Majah]

Wise Quote of the Day:Knowledge is a pre-requisite of action, and unless our activism in the West is based on sound religious knowledge, it will be devoid of Divine acceptance and help. It is only by holding fast to the inheritors of our tradition that Islam will succeed in the West. [Hamza Karam Ali]

Guidance of the Day:Allah Most High says in the Torah:7. Mankind! I have created all things for you and I have created you for My worship. But you have become trapped in what has been created for your service, and you have drifted away from Me for the sake of others.8. Mankind! All creation desires something for themselves, while I desire you for your own sake, but you run from Me.9. Mankind! You are displeased with Me because of the desires of the lower self, but never did you become displeased with your lower self for My sake.

10. Mankind! Worshipping Me is obligatory on you, and providing you sustenance is obligatory upon Me. But in most cases you are negligent in your duty, while I'm never negligent in feeding you.11. Mankind! You seek future sustenance even today, but I do not desire from you the worship of the future.12. Mankind! You will forever remain in peace and comfort if you are content with what I have given you. If you are not content with it, I will assert the greed of the world over you. It will then cause you to run from pillar to post, and from door to door, like a dog, in utter humiliation, and then too you will obtain only what has been predestined for you. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:Be a student. Stay open and willing to learn from everyone and anyone. Being a student means you have room for new input.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:Of all of that, it is the evil of it that is repugnant to your Lord. That is some of the wisdom your Lord revealed to you by inspiration. Do not invent another deity beside God, or you will be thrown into Hell, condemned and banished. [17: 38,39]

Hadith of the Day:The most virtuous behavior is to engage those who sever relations, to give to those who withhold from you, and to forgive those who wrong you. [Tabarani]

Wise Quote of the Day:The word trust contains an ocean of meaning, but underneath it all is the sense of responsibility, the sense of having to appear before Allah and to account for one's actions. [Muhammad al Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day:The Commander of the believers, our master Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah ennoble his countenance) said, "I have selected from the noble Torah twelve statements, and I reflect on these statements daily; Allah Most High says:

1. Mankind! Never fear any devil or king as long as My reigns endure.2. Mankind! Never be worried about our food as long as you find My treasuries full. My treasuries never decrease, nor will they be depleted.3. Mankind! When you become helpless in any affair, call upon Me, and most certainly, you will find Me. I am Bestower of all things and all goodness.

4. Mankind! Be assured that I regard you as My friend. You, therefore, befriend me.5. Mankind! Do not cease to fear Me until you have crossed the bridge (on the day of judgment).6. Mankind! I have created you out of dust, blood clot, and sperm. I was not without perfect power when creating you, so how then should I be without perfect power to feed you? Why, then, do you seek from others? [The Path of Perfection]

Food for Thought:Instead of saying, "Why is this happening to me? Isn't this awful. Poor me," begin to say, "What do I have to learn from this?"

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And do not walk on earth insolently, for you cannot circle the earth and you cannot reach the mountains in height. [17: 37]

Hadith of the Day:A mother is one of the strongest doors of Paradise, if you wish you may pull it down, or if you wish you may protect it. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Sincerity means that one does not seek recompense to what one has done. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Contentment: He who firmly believes that Allah Most High will grant a reward for every difficulty and sorrow experienced here will most certainly be filled with pleasure and happiness.. The reward for contentment is of such a nature that all difficulty fades into nothingness. It is improper to desire anything contrary to what Allah Most High has willed and decreed for the servant. When Allah Most High considers adversity and difficulty appropriate and advantageous to us, then we as His servants have no valid reason for the displeasure and grief.Whatever state Allah Most High chooses for a servant, that is best for him. Seeing another in a more prosperous condition than himself, man yearns for such prosperity and is not contented with his own lot. But reflection will prove to one that the condition chosen for one by Allah Most High is best.

It should be observed that supplication is not contrary to contentment. The people of Allah resort to supplication because of the Divine Command. In this way they profess their state of total submission and surrender to Allah. They therefore do not insist on the attainment of what is being supplicated for. In all states and circumstances, they are fully pleased with the choice of Allah Most High, whether their supplication is accepted or not. Non-acceptance never causes dissatisfaction in them. This is the sign of true contentment.

Acquiring Contentment: Contentment is the effect of the love of Allah. Consequently there is no other means of acquiring this quality (except by means of love), as contentment is a necessary corollary of love. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:When you meet a wasteful immoderate person, you hear complaints, no matter how rich he is, he still complains. But when you meet even the poorest, but contented person, you hear only thanks.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And do not occupy yourself with what you have no knowledge of; for listening, looking, and the impulse of the heart will all be questioned. [17: 36]

Hadith of the Day:Of the good fortune of man is his contentment with what Allah has decreed for him. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Other than good there is no other result which comes from tawakkul (reliance upon Allah), and it is granted to those who busy themselves in worship and good pleasure of their Lord. [Sahl bin Abdullah]

Guidance of the Day:Contentment: This consists of total submission and contentment with the Decree. One should neither by word or deed object to fate. Contentment (rida) develops to such a lofty degree that its domination permeates one's being. In this high state of contentment, hardship recedes and is not considered as such. The state of contentment in which even pain is not felt is called "natural contentment." The state in which contentment prevails along with the sensation of pain is called "intellectual contentment." The fist state is a physical condition whose acquisition is not obligatory.The second state is an intellectual condition whose acquisition is obligatory.

Contentment with fate is commanded and exhorted so as to inculcate in one the qualities of perseverance and satisfaction when afflicted by adversity and hardship. When contentment has been inculcated, adversity is taken in stride and pleasure and without feeling any undue hardship. This is so because the intelligence alerts one to the superior results of such contentment in the face of adversity. The result of such contentment is future reward.

This will be better understood by means of an illustration. A physician prescribes a bitter remedy to a patient or may even insist on an operation. The patient, bearing in mind his future recovery and health, willingly submits to the treatment. He is not only pleased with the physician but feels indebted to him. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And give full measure when you measure out, and weigh with an accurate balance. That is fair, and the best determination. [17: 35]

Hadith of the Day:When you rise in the morning do not fret about the evening, and when it is evening do not fret about the morning. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:Wanting more when sufficient sustenance and well-being has been given, is also a form of complain. [Osman radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Consigning one's affairs: Tawhid is to assign one's affairs to Allah Most High. He may do with one as He desires. One's gaze and hope should be on none besides Allah. While employing the means and the agencies, the result of all things should be left to Allah Most High. To consign one's affairs does not mean shunning the means and the agencies that Allah Most High has created for the acquisition and handling of affairs. It merely means that one's confidence and hope should be on none besides Allah Most High. The result of the employment of the means and agencies should be left to Allah Most High. In affairs not related to means and agencies, consignment should be adopted from the very beginning. In such matters, one should not adopt planning and scheming.

To plan and scheme is to the cause of all worry, because of it being expected a project should proceed according to the set plan and program arranged for it. If the result is contrary to expectation, worry and frustration are the consequence. The schemes initiated by man mostly consists of matters beyond the control of his will. It is therefore childish to scheme about things not within one's will. It is for this reason that the Friends of Allah shun scheming. They resign themselves entirely and submit to the pleasure of Allah Most High. It is necessary to abandon one's own scheme of operation and resign oneself to Allah. One should adopt total and perfect submission and surrender--becoming a perfect slave of Allah Most High.

Acquiring consignment of one's affairs: When confronted with an event that is not to one's liking, immediately think that it is an act of Allah and most certainly there is wisdom and good in it. In the beginning it will be difficult to acquire this attitude. However, constant reflection produces the eradication of effort, and this approach then becomes a natural condition in the Friends of Allah. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:Surrender, trust, and turn away from outer accumulation and achievement and allow yourself to be purposeful and guided.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And do not approach the property of the orphan, except with what is better, until he reaches maturity; and fulfill promises, for the promise will be questioned. [17: 34]

Hadith of the Day:If you are kind to your neighbors and like others to have what you want for yourself, you will be a believer. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:He who tells a lie loses the freshness of his face, he who cultivates bad habits will ever remain sad; it is far easier to move a huge mountain from one place to another than to reform the ignorant, stupid. [Luqman the wise]

Guidance of the Day:Truthfulness: The nature of truthfulness (sidq) consists of developing an acquired rank until it is perfected. The meaning of truthfulness is steadfastness. In all states, acts, and speech the truthful one is well grounded. He has realized the state of perfection. In the Shari'a, the conception of truthfulness includes actions, speech, states, and conditions. Truthfulness in regard to speech is that talk should be firm and true according to reality. One imbued with this quality is called "truthful in speech." Truthfulness in regard to actions is that every act be in conformity with the command of the Shari'a and not in conflict with it. One whose acts are at all times in conformity with the Shari'a is termed "truthful in acts." Truthfulness in regard to one's state or condition is that all conditions should be in accordance with the sunna. Conditions that are in conflict with the Sunna are false. One whose states are in accordance with the Sunna is called "truthful in states."

The states of truthfulness is such that their effect is enduring. the influence of the states of truthfulness is lasting and dominant. They are not of a temporary nature. They should not exist in a person one day and be absent another. Nor does this mean that such states should overwhelm one perpetually. Rather, the effect or influence of these states of truthfulness should abide, become a station, and not fade. One should develop the art of worship or obedience to the stage of perfection. For example, perform prayer in such a way that it could be described in the Shri'a as a perfect prayer--a prayer performed in observance of all the external and internal rules and etiquette. The same should apply to all other acts of obedience and worship. The implementation of this way is truthfulness.

Truthfulness is dependent upon knowledge of the factors that produce perfection. Therefore, one has to be alert at all times and compensate for one's shortcomings. An effort is to be made to rectify poorly performed obligations. Constancy in improving and perfecting one's acts will ensure within a short while the perfect state of truthfulness. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:The foolish and the dead never change their opinion. Invite change into your life, wonderful surprises await you.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And do not take a life that God has made sacred, except for just cause. And if anyone is killed unjustly, We have given his next of kin a certain authority; but he should not be excessive in killing, for he is supported. [17: 33]

Hadith of the Day:If you are pleased with what God has given you you will be the richest of men. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Seek Allah's refuge from the heedlessness which comes from prosperity; so deep is it, that it will take one very long to climb out of it. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Gratitude: The tongue is a blessing. Gratitude in relation to it is to employ it in remembrance, in expressing glorification, praise, and thanks to Allah, and to restrain it from complaining in adversity and from all evil in general. It is highly inappropriate and sinful for such a worthless slave as man to complain about any condition that Allah Most High, the True King, has imposed on him. A word of gratitude emanating from the tongue is recorded as an act of obedience. Mere expression of gratitude with the tongue unaccompanied by the true state of gratitude of the heart is only lip service. It is essential that along with verbal expression of gratitude, the heart should value and honor the blessing of the Benefactor. Mere verbal gratitude will be as the outer casting, as the outer skin that is its external form.

The essence of gratitude is that the honor and appreciation of the Benefactor and the blessing are ingrained in the heart. The initial stage of gratitude is at the intellectual level. In other words, it is the correct understanding of the true meaning of gratitude and the realization of the honor of the Benefactor. The final stage of gratitude is the manifestation of its effect on one's body, movements, and all states. In short, the belief, acts of worship, mundane acts, and moral and social life of the one who is truly grateful to Allah will be in conformity with the Shari'a.

Gratitude is acquired by contemplating the bounties of Allah Most High. Every blessing is to be related to Him. By degrees such meditation will inspire love of Allah in the heart, the result of which will be the attainment of the perfect stage of gratitude. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:It is not so much your profession or social status in life that counts, but what you do to make this world a better place.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:Do not kill your children out of fear of poverty; We will provide for them, and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin. And do not approach adultery, for it is an obscenity and an evil way. [17: 31,32]

Hadith of the Day:Let your tongue never cease to be moist with the remembrance of God. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Only through detachment from Dunya does the slave reach his Lord. [Shaqeeq Balkhi]

Guidance of the Day:Gratitude: Accepting that all benefit is from the True Benefactor, the effect of which is to be happy with the Benefactor and be ever ready to render obedience to Him, is the meaning of gratitude (shukr). This entails acceptance of the fact that all benefit is from Allah, the True Benefactor. This acceptance induces happiness with the Benefactor, and eagerness to carry out the commands of the Benefactor and to abstain from His prohibitions. One should consider all benefits, goodness, and pleasant conditions as the bounties of Allah and regard these to be in greater measure than what one really deserves. Praise is to be offered to Allah and His bounties should not be employed in evil and sin. His favors should be used in obtaining His good pleasure. This is the true meaning of gratitude.

This conception of gratitude will be understood only when one has realized the purpose underlying creation and the functions of the various aspects of creation. For instance, the eye is a blessing of Allah Most High. Gratitude in relation to it is to employ it correctly--to employ it only in lawful ways, such as reading the Glorious Quran, acquiring knowledge, studying the wonderful creation of Allah so as to learn and realize the greatness and splendor of Allah Most High, and so forth. The gratitude of the eye further demands that it be restrained from glancing at and viewing objects that Allah Most High has prohibited.

Likewise, the ear is a blessing. Gratitude in relation to it is to employ it correctly, such as in listening to the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah, to such talks that remind one of the Hereafter, and to prevent it from listening to evil, nonsensical, and useless talk. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:Wisdom is:To do what you should do when you should.To refuse to do what you should not do;And, when you are not clear, wait until you are sure.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:And don't keep your hand bound to your neck, nor yet stretch it as far it extends, lest you become reprehensible and destitute. For your Lord expands the provision of anyone at will, and measures proportionately; for God knows and sees all creatures. [17: 29,30]

Hadith of the Day:People are tested according to their faith. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:To panic during a calamity is itself a greater calamity. [ Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Patience: Difficulties are a means for the expiation of many sins. At times Allah Most High wishes to bestow a special rank of elevation to a servant, but the servant lacks the ability to attain that lofty rank solely by virtue of his righteous deeds. Allah Most High then afflicts him with some hardship by virtue of which he attains the desired lofty rank. When a hardship afflicts them, they say: Inna li 'Llahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Verily, we are for Allah and unto Him will we return). The purport of this verse is that one should engage in the dhikr of this verse at the time of difficulty and hardship. One should meditate upon the meaning of this statement--that we are the exclusive property of Allah, we belong to Him, and He has the full right to utilize and dispose of His property as He sees fit. We are, therefore, content with the decree of Allah.

When hardship afflicts one, he should first remember his sins. Such remembrance of shortcomings and faults will fortify one against depression during the hardship. One will then realize the correctness of the affliction and accept it without complaint. One will regret and not protest. Secondly, meditate upon the reward that Allah has promised for hardship. Remembering this reward will lessen the grief and keep one resolute in the state of hardship. Never complain or entertain the impression that Allah Most High has become displeased with you. This impression is dangerous because it weakens the bond with Allah Most High, and by degrees one's relationship with Allah Most High becomes obliterated.

Consider hardship as either a punishment or a trial and contemplate its reward. At the time of hardship, the Shari'a calls to patience and steadfastness. For every hardship, the compensation will be good. There is, most certainly, benefit in hardship, in this world as well as in the Hereafter, although one may not be able to understand the worldly benefit therein. Patience is inculcated by weakening the desires of lust and emotion. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:To attain happiness and peace you must be from those who hasten to do virtuous and beautiful deeds.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:And give relatives their due, and the poor and the wayfarer, but do not squander wastefully. For squanderers are brothers of the devils. [17: 26,27]

Hadith of the Day:A believer is to be marveled at because every condition of his is good. This is exclusive to the believer. If he attains happiness, he is thankful, and that is good for him, and if calamity overtakes him, he is paient, and that is good for him. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:Human suffering is real. However, human perseverance and human dignity are just as real. They allow us to nobly endure the trials of this world. [Imam Zaid Shakir]

Guidance of the Day:Patience: In man are two conflicting forces. The one force impels him toward religion and righteousness, while the other drives him toward base desires. Asserting the religious force and subduing the force of base desires is called patience (sabr). In the state of patience, the religious force in man asserts its dominance over the force of base desires. Its definition is as follows: maintaining control over the lower self in the face of such things that the lower self abhors. There are three kinds of patience: patience in the practice of righteous deeds, patience while engaging in righteous deeds, and patience in refraining in the unlawful.

The first type entails being firm and constant in practicing righteous deeds. The second type entails having patience while engaging in a righteous deed: the lower self is held in check and prevented from distraction while engaged in an act of virtue. Acts of worship have to be discharged adequately by the observance of the principles and rules pertaining to them. Full attention has to be directed toward the act. The third type entails having patience in the non-commission of any unlawful act or to restrain the lower self from indulging in the prohibitions of Allah Most High.

Blessings produce delight and happiness, which in turn result in love of Allah, the Benefactor. On the other hand, hardships produce frustration and grief. Thus the occasion of patience is in the face of hardship. Hardship is a condition detested by the lower self. This condition is of two kinds: the form of hardship and true hardship. Grief and frustration follow in the wake of true hardship, which is the consequence of sin. Hardship that brings about the strengthening of one's bond with Allah and elevates one's spiritual condition is not true hardship. It increases one's submission to Allah Most High. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:If we could see that everything, even a tragedy, is a gift in disguise, we would then find the best way to nourish our soul. Often it is our lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Ayah of the Day:Your Lord knows best what is in your souls: if you act with integrity, God is most forgiving to those who keep returning. [17: 25]

Hadith of the Day:When you ask, ask of Allah. And when you seek help, seek help from Allah. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:We must realize that we will never achieve any meaningful change in our situation relying on our meager resources. We need to turn wholeheartedly to our Lord (in obedience and for help). [imam Zaid Shakir]

Guidance of the Day:Trust in Allah: The heart's inherent trust in the Creator alone is called tawakkul. Trust is then to act in accordance with Allah's plan: to adopt the principles and commands of the Shari'a, and to resign oneself to Him. In every act or task, the means required for the task must be employed within the confines of the Sharia, and one's trust must be placed in Allah Most High. Sincere and honest belief in the Oneness of Allah establishes true faith in the heart. The effect of faith establishing in the heart is trust (tawakkul). The condition essential for achieving this trust is sincere acknowledgment of oneness. The meaning of sincere acknowledgment is that this oneness permeates the heart to such a degree that there remains no room in one's heart to entertain any other concept.

Assign all affairs to Allah Most High and maintain the heart in the state of peace and tranquility. It entails turning away from all and everything other than Allah. Upon Allah Most High being made the trustee, one resigns in full confidence. Allah Most High, the Trustee, is full of wisdom and is the Benefactor and Protector of the one who has placed trust in Him. There is therefore no need for the heart to toss about in doubt and uncertainty. He will not allow your enemy to vanquish you. In this way when one fully realizes that sustenance, death, life and all affairs of creation are within the direct power and control of Allah Most High, there is absolutely no cause for the heart to labor in uncertainty and suffer any lack of confidence.

The ignorant toil under the misconception that trust entails abstinence from effort, the means, and material agencies. This idea of trust is highly erroneous. Trust does not advocate shunning or abstaining from the material agencies that Allah Most High has created and made subservient to man. Shunning the legitimate use of the material means and agencies for legitimate purposes and needs is not lawful according to shari'a. Trust is acquired by contemplating the bounties of Allah Most High, His Promises, and past occasions in which allah granted one success. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:It's so easy to look around and notice what's wrong. It takes practice to see what's right.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Ayah of the Day:And lower the wing of humility to them (parents) out of compassion, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them as they nurtured me when I was small." [17: 24]

Hadith of the Day:The first virtue of this nation (ummah) is firm faith (yaqin) and abstinence (zuhd), and the first corruption of this nation is miserliness (bukhl) and vain hopes. [Bayhaqi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Love of this world and having long hpes is the evil to all evils. Having limited hopes is the key to the Hereafter. [Ibn al Qayyim]

Guidance of the Day:Abstinence: Abstinence (zuhd) is to refrain from an object of desire in the pursuit of a nobler objective--refraining from the desire of the world and pursuing the desire of the Hereafter. The basis of abstinence is the light and knowledge that Allah Most High inspires in the heart of man. As a result, his breast expands and he realizes with clarity that the world with all that is in it is more contemptible than the wing of a fly and that only the Hereafter is noble and everlasting. When this light is acquired, the worthlessness of the world fully dawns upon man. The effect of abstinence is the attainment of contentment upon the acquisition of the bare necessities of life. Thus the abstinent (zahid) is satisfied with the bare necessities in the same way as the traveler is satisfied with the necessities that he takes along on his journey.

Abstinence is not abstention from pleasures. Reduction of pleasures is a sufficient condition of abstinence. In other words, one should not be engrossed in pleasures. Constantly hankering after luxuries is contrary to abstinence. On the other hand, acquisition of luxuries, without undue effort and arrangement, is of the bounties of Allah Most High, for which thanksgiving must be offered. Along with granting comfort to the self, effort too should be imposed on it. In truth, gold and silver and the world with all its possessions, in the sight of one whose gaze is focused on Allah, are of no value. It is essential to sever one's hope from all things. He who is successful in this objective will attain tranquility because both heart and body find rest and peace in abstinence.

The manner in which to acquire abstinence is to meditate on the defects, harms, and ephemeral nature of the world, as well as to reflect on the benefits and the everlasting nature of the Hereafter. [The Path to Perfection]

Friday, May 12, 2006

Ayah of the Day:Your Lord has decreed that you should worship only God, and be good to your parents. Whether one or both of them reaches old age with you, never speak to them harshly, and do not rebuff them, but speak to them in kindly terms. [17: 23]

Hadith of the Day:If even the unbeliever should realize the extent of Allah's mercy, he (too) would not lose hope of Paradise. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:Entertain good expectation from Allah without losing fear of His punishment. And fear of His punishment should not make you despair of His mercy. [Luqman the Wise]

Guidance of the Day:Hope: Hope (raja') is the state of the heart's tranquility that develops as a result of one's yearning for the desirable objects Of Divine Grace (fadl), forgiveness (maghfira), bounty (ni'ma), and Paradise, while devising ways and means for their attainment.

Thus one who remains in expectation of mercy and Paradise, but does not adopt the means of their acquisition --righteous deeds, repentance, and so forth, will not attain the goal of hope. He remains, on the contrary, in deception. He is like the one who, in spite of not sowing the seeds, expects to reap the crop. He dwells in empty desire. The manner of acquiring hope is to reflect about the vastness of Allah's mercy and His munificence. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:I have a responsibility to live this life with the talents I am given. It's my responsibility to do it. Not to think about it; just to do it. That's why I'm here. It's really that simple. The rest is up to the Creator.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:See how we have favored some of them over others; yet the Hereafter is certainly greater in ranks and greater in favor. Do not invent another deity besides God, or you will sit condemned and deserted. [17: 21,22]

Hadith of the Day:He who fears sets off (on the journey) at night. He who sets off at night reaches the destination. Lo! The merchandise of Allah is costly. Lo! The merchandise of Allah is Paradise. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:If you have the audacity to indulge in sins, do so to the extent that you can endure Hell-fire. [Luqman the Wise]

Guidance of the Day:Fear: Fear (khawf) is the painful condition of the heart that arises as a result of thinking of something reprehensible and the fear of it materializing. The nature of fear consists of the possibility of punishment. This possibility extends to every person, for he may be overtaken by punishment. This is the extent of fear that has been commanded and imposed upon the servant. This extent, fearing the possibility of punishment, is a compulsory condition of faith. It is also known as intellectual fear Khawf 'aqli). At the behest of sin this faculty has to be put into operation. The warnings and punishments of Allah Most High should be recalled and considered so as to save oneself from sin. This degree of fear is obligatory (fard). Its non-existence induces and involves one in sin. It is the medium of exhorting toward virtue and steering one away from sin.

Allah Most High has combined the noble attributes of guidance, mercy, knowledge, and contentment for those who are imbued with His fear. All beings fear the one who fears Allah Most High. The servant of Allah who on earth entertains fear of Allah Most High will be fearless in the Hereafter, and he who had no fear of Allah Most High on earth will be overtaken by fear and calamity. Fear is thus obligatory upon every believer. There are two reasons for for this: the possibility of one committing voluntarily an act of disobedience in the future and the possibility of some act of disobedience having been voluntarily committed, which could have been stopped had one paid attention, but due to negligence, one's attention has been diverted. Such diversion is also a voluntary act of disobedience.

It is a fact that the child, because of the fear of punishment, abstains from mischief; and people, because of the fear of being fined, refrain from violation of law. When fear is effaced, anarchy is the consequence in the land. Fear severs the roots of all evil, while at the same time it is the medium of all obedience. The manner in which to acquire the fear of Allah Most High is to consider His wrath and punishment. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. Inner development is just as important as outer physical development.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:And if any want the Hereafter and strive for it with effort, as a believer, their effort is appreciated. To everyone We give, to this one and that one, from the gift of your Lord. And the gift of your Lord is not restricted. [17: 19,20]

Hadith of the Day:He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. And he who detests the meeting with Allah, Allah detests meeting him. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:The heart of the lover of Allah desires to sacrifice everything for the sake of his Beloved. Love of Allah changes the bitterness in a person's life to sweetness. No depression or anxiety afflicts the one who is attached to his Lord. [Shaykh Zulfiqar]

Guidance of the Day:Love of Allah. The inclining of the heart toward something that gives it pleasure is called love (Mahabba). Love can be either physical or intellectual. Physical love is not a voluntary or volitional condition. Its occurrence and continued existence are non-volitional. Often non-volitional acts are merely transitory. It is for this reason that physical love is not commanded. The origination and continued existence of intellectual love, on the other hand, are volitional. It is therefore a state that can endure. Intellectual love is therefore commanded. It is this kind of love that is superior and preferable. Since the source of physical love is emotion, it is a passing state.

There are three factors giving rise to the love of something. Kindness and support (ihsan), beauty (jamal), and perfection (kamal). These three attributes par excellence exist only in Allah Most High. The love of Allah endures as long as these attributes endure. They will endue forever; hence, love for Him is perpetual. Physical love is possible toward others, but the love toward Allah Most High that has been commanded is intellectual love. This should not be understood to mean that the perfected saints are without physical love. They are perfect in both intellectual and physical love--the former being dominant, while in others physical love is dominant. Those devoid of both these aspects are in danger. Love of Allah is thus essential. Obedience without love of Allah is not sufficient as there is a resolution and firmness in such acts of obedience devoid of love.

Acquiring Love of Allah: Constant remembrance and contemplation of the attributes and bounties of Allah Most High will induce the desired love for Him. Compliance with the laws of the Shari'a and much remembrance of Allah will result in exclusive love of Allah Most High. [The Path of Perfection]

Du'a of the Week:Allahumma inni as'aluka fahman Nabiyyeen wa hifzal Mursaleem wal Muqarrabeen. (O Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the Prophets and the memory of the Messengers and those nearest to You)

Food for Thought:The best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good. Seeking the good and being with people of love and peace is always powerful protection.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:And how many communities have We allowed to perish since Noah! For your Lord, all seeing, is well enough aware of the sins of mortals. And if any want the transitory, We will hasten for them what We will of it, to whomever We wish: then We will give them Hell, where they will burn, condemned and rejected. [17: 17,18]

Hadith of the Day:O people! Make repentance unto Allah Most High. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:O my son! Recite 'O my Lord forgive my sins, frequently.' For, there are certain hours during which Allah's special favors descend upon his slaves and everybody is granted whatever he asks from Allah Most High. [Luqman Hakeem]

Guidance of the Day:How to make Repentance: Repentance is to confess to Allah Most High one's sins and to regret committing them. It is the firm resolve to discharge all the rights of others and other duties that are obligatory, but which have not been rendered. This intention should be made immediately, and thereafter the actual fulfillment of such rights and duties should be put into motion. Alternatively, the pardon of those whose rights were usurped should be obtained. When a sin has been committed, immediately perform two rak'as of prayer with the intention of repentance. One then has to offer repentance with both the tongue and heart. The repentance should be made fervently and vigorously. If one is unable to shed tears, then one's face should take on the appearance of a concerned and crying person while making repentance.

For the purpose of repentance, recall your sins and then offer repentance in profusion. However, do not reflect upon the sins committed nor make vigorous attempts to remember what sins had been committed, for this attitude will create a barrier between the one repenting and Allah Most High. This constitutes an obstacle on the path of love and progress. After having made sincere repentance, if previous sins come to mind, then renew the repentance. Do not be overly concerned about sins for which repentance has already been made. While making repentance, there should be a degree of moderation in mentioning the sins. There is no need to recite a whole list of sins while making repentance. Seek forgiveness for all sins in general. According to a hadith one should say, "and I repent even sins that You are more aware of" , And, "I repent of sins that I am aware of and sins that I am unaware of."

Pondering sins is a waste of time and a diversion from the remembrance of Allah. However, one should make special repentance for sins that one recalls automatically. The real goal is Allah Most High and not the remembrance of sins, nor the remembrance of acts of obedience. The purpose of remembering sins is to offer repentance. Hence, once repentance has been made, one should not deliberately and consciously ponder sins, thereby making such remembrance a definite purpose, because this will engender the idea that Allah Most High is displeased with one, and this is a dangerous idea.

Acquiring Repentance: Remember and reflect upon the warnings sounded in the Quran and hadith with regard to sins. The pang of regret that enters the heart as a result of such reflection is repentance. [The Path of Perfection]

Food for Thought:It is a sign of maturity when we stop asking, "What does life have in store for me?" And start asking, "What am I doing with my life?"

Monday, May 08, 2006

Ayah of the Day:Whoever accepts guidance is guided for his own soul alone, and whoever goes wrong only wrongs his own soul. For no responsible person can bear the burden of another. But We do not inflict punishment until We have sent a messenger. [17: 15]

Hadith of the Day:He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must show honor to his guests. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day: Obedience to Allah and His prophet is the key to respect. Seeking forgiveness and fear of Allah is the key to sustenance. [Ibn al Qayyim]

Guidance of the Day:Repentance: Repentance (tawba) is the regret and sadness that arises in the heart when remembering a sin. For the validity of the repentance, shunning the sin, firmly resolving to abstain from it in future, and controlling the lower self when it calls for the sin are necessary. The meaning of repentance is to return from distance to proximity. It has a beginning and an end. The beginning of repentance is the realization that the sin committed is a fatal poison that wreaks spiritual disaster.

This realization induces regret and fear, which result in a true and sincere yearning to compensate for the sin. This yearning is of such a degree that shunning the sin is immediate. Further, a firm resolve and intention are made to totally abstain from the sin in future. Along with this intention a full effort is made to compensate for past short comings. When the result is this fruit of repentance pertaining to the past, present, and future, then perfection of repentance has been acquired. This then is the end of repentance.

Since the reality of repentance is to regard sin as a fatal poison and disaster for the life of the Hereafter, and to firmly resolve to shun sin, this much repentance is part of faith. Its being compulsory and necessary is apparent to every believer. Allah Most High will forgive, have mercy upon, and aid the person, who after having sinned, renders repentance according to the dictates of the Shari'a and reforms his acts for the future--he abstains from all evil, practices in conformity with the Shari'a, and remains firm in his repentance. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:When you have learned how to live, life itself is a reward. It is only when you are no longer afraid to die that you can say that you are truly alive.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:We have fastened the fate of every human being to his neck; and We will produce a record for him on the Day of Resurrection, set forth before him unrolled. "Read your record: your own soul suffices today to take account against you." [17: 13,14]

Hadith of the Day:Verily Allah does not look at your external forms and your wealth, but He looks at your intentions and actions. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:No one can perform good deeds, unless he possesses a firm belief in Allah Most High. If a person's belief is unsound, he is very weak in performing good actions. [Luqman Hakeem]

Guidance of the Day:Sincerity: Sincerity (ikhlas) means to intend Allah in one's acts of obedience. The motive must only be the proximity and good pleasure of Allah Most High. This motive must not be contaminated by personal motives of gain or the pleasure of others. Elimination of ostentation is precisely the acquisition of sincerity.

Benefits of Sincerity: No matter how righteous and no matter how trivial an act may be; if it is accompanied by sincerity, it will be permeated with baraka (blessing). Rewards will increase in proportion to the degree of sincerity. For this very reason has it come to us in a hadith: "Half a measure (of corn) given by my companions is nobler than gold equal to Mount Uhad given in charity by others." The secret is the degree of sincerity. The sincerity of the Companions is far superior to the sincerity of others. This reward is in terms of their sincerity and love.

The highest stage of sincerity is the rendering of an act for the sake of Allah Most High alone, creation having absolutely no connection in one's motive. A lesser degree of sincerity is that the act is rendered to please people but not motivated by any desire for worldly gain. The motive is merely to please others. The third degree of sincerity is to render an act without having any motive. The motive is neither the religion nor the world. This too is sincerity: it is the absence of ostentation. [The Path of Perfection]

Food for Thought:When God speaks through your hands and smiles upon the earth through you because you are an unconditional giver, a purposeful being, asking nothing of anyone, prosperity will be your reward.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:Man prays his prayer for good for the wrong ends; and man is hasty. We have made the night and the day two signs: We made the sign of the night invisible, while We made the sign of the day revealing, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years, and the count. [17: 11,12]

Hadith of the Day:The world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:The gate of justice is deep consideration of consequences, and its key is other worldliness. Consideration of consequences ultimately involves remembering death and preparing for it by freely parting from one's wealth. Other worldliness involves dealing justly with everyone and being satisfied with what suffices. [Omar radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Love of the World: All things that give pleasure here to the lower self without being of any merit in the Hereafter are termed dunya (the world). We are afflicted with a number of spiritual ailments all having their origin in the love of the world. If this root ailment is treated and cured, all other maladies flowing from it will also disappear. A person overwhelmed by love of the world has no concern and time for the Hereafter. Such a person without care for the Hereafter will not be bothered with righteous deeds nor will he abstain from evil. Utter love of the world entails an utter lack of concern for religion.

The world does not mean wealth and family. The world is the intentional and voluntary adoption of anything evil that causes one to become forgetful of Allah Most High irrespective of what that thing might be. Thus acquisition of wealth and other material means is not evil; love for such material objects is evil. Wealth aids man as long as it remains outside his heart. However, if its love enters the heart it will bring about its destruction.

The Remedy: Remember death often and do not involve yourself in farfetched hopes. The pursuit of distant schemes and material enterprises should be shunned. In this way, the love of the world will be eliminated from the heart. [The Path To Perfection]

Food for Thought:Good lies in what God chooses. Contentment is a treasury of good living and ease of life. While greed is a mine of loss and abasement.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:This Recital guides to what is more sound, and gives the good news to the believers who do good deeds that there is a great reward for them, and that for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have prepared a painful penalty. [17: 9,10]

Hadith of the Day:Two hungry wolves let loose in a flock of sheep do not cause as much harm as the harm to a man's religion wrought by his desire for wealth and fame. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Live as long as you want, but you must die; love whatever you want, but you will become separated from it; and do what you want, but you will be repaid for it. [Imam Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day:Love of fame: The desire that others honor, respect, and be submissive to one is termed love of fame (hub al jah). It is difficult to diagnose this malady. It is only in the event of an incident in which one is not honored that this disease becomes detectable. Love of fame is a quality that lies in one's imagination; hence its nature is transitory. It is extremely flimsy in that it is dependent on the thoughts of others, for fame entails honor of one by others. The thoughts of others thus form the basis for fame. If others divert their thoughts, one's fame is eliminated. Hence, he who desires to be considered famous and honorable has to rely on the thoughts of others--thoughts that are not within his control. But in spite of love of fame being so flimsy in nature and ephemeral, man hankers after it.

Only such fame is detestable that has been acquired by one's desire and pursuit. Such fame is a calamity that destroys one's worldly life as well as one's life of the Hereafter. When man sees that the world praises him, he is overtaken by pride and vanity. These diseases finally destroy him. His religion is thus destroyed. Many people have fallen into this trap and been utterly wiped out. A famous person has many envious enemies who engage in conspiracies to harm and eliminate him. This then is the harm to one's worldly life. Thus, both religion and worldly life suffer in the wake of fame.

On the other hand, fame that Allah Most High bestows upon man without him requesting it is a bounty (ni'ma). As man needs wealth to a certain degree, so does he stand in need of fame to a certain degree. Such limited fame enables him to remain in safety and be protected against injustice and oppression. Such safety enables him to engage in the worship of Allah Most High without fear and in peace. This amount of fame is therefore not harmful.

The Remedy: Meditate upon the futility of love of fame. Neither the one who honors nor the one who is honored will remain. All will perish. It is therefore childish to be delighted over such a transitory and illusionary attribute. This manner of contemplation will eliminate this malady. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box. It is not the length of life, it is the depth of life that makes a difference.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Ayah of the Day:Your Lord may have mercy on you. But if you are hostile, We will be hostile: And We have made Hell a prison for the ungrateful. [17: 8]

Hadith of the Day:Do not feel malice toward one another. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:Associate frequently with the pious for, in this way alone, you can attain to the virtues that they posses. Besides, when Allah's special favors descend upon these beings you will also be able to receive your share of blessings; for when it rains, its showers fall on all sides of the house. [Hakeem Luqman]

Guidance of the Day:Malice: This is the condition of malice (hiqd) that asserts itself in the state of anger when one lacks the power to take revenge. It is the seed of many evils. When anger has not been satisfied, its vapors engulf the heart, producing a seething effect that boils the heart. This vapor and sentiment plants the malice in the heart. This results in frustration. Malice is an intentional condition. It is not the feeling of mere dislike, which arises against your will. In malice, one entertains evil in the heart for another by design, and at the same time one is busy with schemes to harm the one at whom the malice is directed. If intention and desire to harm are absent, it will not be malice, but will be known as dejection (inqibad), which is not a sinful state as this is natural.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said that "two persons harboring malice for one another are not forgiven." The reference to this malice is malice based on injustice and wrong. Hatred for the sake of religion is not within the scope of the malice described here. Such hared is meritorious, since the hadiths command that love be for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah.

The Remedy: The cure for malice is to overlook the fault of the one toward whom malice is felt and to associate with him irrespective of the difficulty one may experience in the adoption of such a kindhearted attitude. [The Path to Perfection]

Du'a of the Week:Allahumman fa'ni bima allamtani wa allimni bima yanfa'ni wa zidni ilma. (O Allah! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me the knowledge that will be useful to me. And increase me in knowledge).

Food for Thought:The habit of looking on the bright side in every circumstance is more valuable than having a large income.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Ayahs of the Day:And We gave Moses scripture, and We made it guidance for the Israelites, that they should take none for a guardian other than Me. Descendants of those We carried with Noah; who was a most grateful devotee. [17: 2,3]

Hadith of the Day:He who has a grain of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:The key to the life of the heart is reflecting on the meaning of Quran, calling on Allah sincerely before dawn and leaving wrong actions. [Imam al Mannawi]

Guidance of the Day:Pride: Pride (Takabbur) is to consider oneself superior to others in attributes of excellence. There are many forms of pride. Most are subtle, hidden, and hard to detect. It is only the thorough gaze of a qualified shaykh that can uncover such hidden forms of pride. In a nutshell, pride is to willingly and consciously regard oneself superior to others in religious or worldly excellence in a way which creates contempt in the heart for others. This is the reality of pride, and this is forbidden. Pride consists of two ingredients: the feeling of superiority and considering oneself great, and contempt for others.

Where the condition of contempt for others is non-existent, pride will not arise. Mere belief in superiority and inferiority, prominence and insignificance, is not pride. But the one who consciously thinks himself better than others becomes arrogant. His lower self swells up with pride, the consequences of which manifest themselves. Examples of pride are: to regard others with contempt, to take offense when others do not greet one first, to feel insulted if others do not offer one respect, to be annoyed when someone admonishes one, refusal to concede the truth even after having realized it. May Allah Most High keep us under His protection and save us from pride, for indeed, it is the severest of maladies. It is the root of all spiritual ailments. It was pride that made the devil a deviant.

The Remedy: This malady is remedied by reflecting on the splendor, glory, and majesty of Allah Most High. This reflection will produce in one a realization of one's own humble position. Your own excellence will then fade into nothingness. Also, humble yourself in the presence of those whom you regard as your inferiors. Be respectful to them so that you become filled with humility. [The Path of Perfection]

Food for Thought:Wisdom comes more from living than studying. The dedicated life is the life worth living.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Ayah of the Day:Glory to the One who transported a devotee one night from the Sacred Mosque to the Furthest Mosque, whose precincts We blessed so We might show him some of Our signs. For God is the all-hearing, the all-seeing. [17:1]

Hadith of the Day:And the destroyers are desires followed, miserliness obeyed, and a man being pleased with himself, and (of the things that destroy) this (last) is the worst of them. [Bayhaqi]

Wise Quote of the Day:Occupy yourself with inspecting your heart, discerning the features of your personality, giving worldly attachments a wide berth, purging yourself of ugly traits, and you would occupy yourself in adoring God the Exalted, worshipping Him, and acquiring good qualities. And not a day passes for any worshipper without his death during it being a possibility! [Imam Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day:Vanity: Vanity (ujb) is to attribute one's excellence to oneself while being oblivious of the possibility of such excellence being snatched away by Allah Most High. Vanity is a cloaked and subtle trick of the lower self, which always desires to occupy a distinguished rank (above others). The lower self finds pleasure in this desire. Allah Most High detests anyone who considers himself distinguished, laudable, and the vessel of excellence.

Delight over the bounties granted by Allah Most High is not vanity. Such true delight is not unrestricted and does not produce vanity, since the fear of the elimination of the bounties is ever present in the heart. One realizes that the excellence or bounty that one has gained is purely a gift from Allah Most High, Who has awarded it because of some act or knowledge (which is also favor of Allah), and one further realizes that Allah Most High has the full power to take away the bounty at any time He desires. This experience of delight is therefore not vanity. On the other hand, a person suffering from vanity becomes neglectful and fails to see that the bounty in his possession is in fact a gift from Allah Most High. One afflicted with vanity thinks himself entitled to the bounties.

Vanity resembles pride in all aspects, save one; vanity does not necessarily require that others be one's inferiors. A person suffering from vanity considers himself to be a lofty rank without necessarily regarding another to be his inferior.

The Remedy: Always regard excellence and virtues that one possesses to be the gifts of Allah Most High. Contemplate the power of Allah and fear the possibility of the gifts being taken away. Consider your faults, both internal and external, so that the idea of perfection and self-righteousness is abolished. [The Path Of Perfection]

Food for Thought:Miracles can only happen when you get rid of the concept of "impossible" and allow yourself to experience the magic of knowing.